Having previously worked in marketing, Suzanne was devastated when she suffered a stroke in 2001 while recovering from an operation, which affected her ability to speak and write.

But Suzanne was not one to give up easily. Instead of giving in to self-pity, Suzanne, of Pentre, poured her efforts into another creative outlet – floristry.

Unable to return to work, she set about developing her own programme of rehabilitation, writing a daily journal and recording herself reading children’s stories aloud to refine her speech.

Frustrated by her restricted creativity, she also decided to take a course in floristry at Pencoed College, which enabled her to find part-time work in a local florist’s.

Despite still struggling with tiredness from her illness, she increased her hours and found the work boosted her confidence.

She decided to set up her own florist’s, which involved taking an Open University course and day courses in business skills.

Only two years after opening Sunflowers Florist – originally in Porth before moving to bigger premises on Bute Street, Treherbert – Suzanne was recognised in the Barclays Trading Places Awards, given to those who have overcome various barriers and battled against the odds to change their lives by setting up a business.

In 2006, she won the award in the Effective Returner to the Workplace category in the Western Mail’s Welsh Woman of the Year Awards. Her business also received an award of excellence from the Flower Council.

Tragically, Suzanne passed away on Friday after going into hospital for a procedure.